My Motorsport collection - the Tour..

AGR · Mar 16, 2004

Okay guys......... Here's my Collection... (2 rooms at home, and my office) Any autograph you see, is real.

In this photo; it's a bit difficult to see; but I am standing next to Mario Andretti.

If anyone has any questions about any of these models, or any other part of my collection, let me know. I will be happy to answer.

mountjonas · Mar 16, 2004

very sweet collection, agr. (cool) (headbang)

AGR · Mar 16, 2004

mountjonas said:
very sweet collection, agr. (cool) (headbang)

Thanks! Much appreciated!

AGR · Mar 16, 2004

StarvingRussian · Mar 16, 2004

Wow....that's some hardcore collecting going on. Very nice. (thumb)

FrigginGLI · Mar 16, 2004

Wowzers.

AGR · Mar 16, 2004

Thanks! It's a fun thang.(thinkbeer

AGR · Mar 18, 2004

Zoom Zoom !!!

siberiankiss · Mar 18, 2004

hehe...i have that little box set of porsches...

nice collection btw

mazdaspeedpower · Mar 18, 2004

nice....and very impressive...and you love your mazdaspeed???? I love your collection

ARunto · Mar 18, 2004

where's the mazdaspeed? nice collection!!

AGR · Mar 18, 2004

ARunto said:
where's the mazdaspeed? nice collection!!

Thanks! No MAZDASPEED model available, that I am aware of. I will add one to the collection, however; if one does become available.

STLBLKMSP · Mar 18, 2004

Hmmmm, seems like someone is a big andretti fan. Nice models of some of the race cars that mario has driven.

AGR · Mar 18, 2004

STLBLKMSP said:
Hmmmm, seems like someone is a big andretti fan. Nice models of some of the race cars that mario has driven.

Oh yeah! Big Andretti fan, for sure. Both Mario, and Michael. I have had the pleasure of meeting them both. I kind of got started collecting F1 models, along with some of Mario's famous racing cars. Then; Sports Cars followed. Lots of Cobras, too. I love the real Cobra! I am also a big Michael Schumacher fan. 'Love Ferrari! Their history in Motorsports is legend.

Interestingly; nothing in my collection was purchased locally. Everything has come from online (eBay, etc...). There are a number of really good diecast dealers online. There isn't a source in my area that sells these models. Most are limited, numbered editions.

I have a new Michael Andretti IRL car like he drove at his last Indy 500 last year. I don't have photos taken yet, though. I have been collecting about 13 years.

AGR · Mar 18, 2004

Top view of the 4 cam Ford engine that propelled Mario Andretti's 1974 Champ Dirt car to the Championship...

The Dan Gurney driven 'Gurney-Weslake' (Ford 305 c.i.) engine in the T70 Lola. This is the only Ford Powered car to win a Can-Am race (1966)

Michael Schumacher's Benetton Renault Formula One car from 1975. This car did 0-130-0 mph in 7.5 seconds. 1975 was Schumacher's 2nd straight World Championship.

Below is Ayrton Senna's 1994 Williams Formula 1 car as it appeared at Estoril Spain. He would die in this car on May 1st at Imola (Italy). He was a 3 time Formula 1 World Driving Champion.

The Gulf Ford GT40 MKI from Le Mans (1969). This is chassis #1075. It is the only car to win Le Mans 2 straight years. It also won in 1968 (it was numbered 9 that year). It was powered by a 289 c.i. engine with 4 2bbl Weber carbs. The 427 engines were outlawed after the 1967 Le Mans. This GT40 MkI was damned near as fast, though. They ran over 200 mph down the long Mulsanne straight. Another interesting thing about this car; it finished only yards ahead of the 2nd place Porsche in 1969. That's quite amazing when you realize that it's a 24 hr. race. It was (and is), the closest finish in Le Mans history. And; that goes back to 1923!

Here is a photo of that 1969 Finish..

A view of my computer desk hutch..

MSP Tuner · Mar 19, 2004

That's one (cool) collection. How about some pics of the HPI Micro?

AGR · Mar 19, 2004

MSP Tuner said:
That's one (cool) collection. How about some pics of the HPI Micro?

Thanks for the kind words.

I looked for my old photos, and I cannot find any. When I upgraded to WinXP in January, I got rid of a lot of old photos. Neither the Skyline (1:18 scale), nor the TC3 (1:10 scale). But; I had this Skyline GT-R. It had the Ratzas Carbon Fiber chassis, and a completely modified suspension. It also had the Big block motor, and racing batteries. I had installed a mono oil shock on the rear. It was actually faster, but not quicker then my TC3. The Micro RS-4 is belt driven (all wheel drive), whereas the TC3, was shaft driven (all wheel drive). The power came on instantly with the TC3 - because of the shaft drive. They were both a blast to drive. And yes; the TC3 was heavily modified as well.

1:18 scale RC racing is not everywhere. Not many in the Memphis area took 1:18 too seriously. 1:10 scale racing is most popular here. Several of us at work bought the Micro RS-4s, and had fun with them at work in the parking lot. Then; we decided to sell them, and buy 1:10 scale cars. We all bought Team Associated TC3s. But in the end; nobody wanted to commit to racing on Sundays with the local club. All but one, has since sold all their equipment, and cars. That was a damned expensive hobby, that was short lived. I even had a KO Propo Computer Radio for my TC3. It was awesome.

AGR · Mar 20, 2004

This is the Lotus 49B from the 1968 Formula 1 season. This is how it appeared at Watkins Glen, NY. It was Mario Andretti's first Formula 1 race. Amazingly; he set fastest lap, and got the Pole position for the race. During the race, he was sidelined due to clutch failure. Note the tall wing.

The Ford Cosworth engine from the 49B... (Believe it or not; the Ford Cosworth is the winningest engine in Formula 1 history)

This is the Ferrari 312B that Mario drove during the 1971 F1 season. Some consider this the most beautiful Formula 1 car in history. The engine is a flat 12 cylinder. It carried Mario to his very first F1 victory that year at the Kyalami circuit in South Africa.